Our chapter roundtable this summer provides a whirlwind tour of the state, from Humboldt County in the north to San Diego, with stops along the way in Mendocino, Alameda, El Dorado, Fresno, and Los Angeles. Before we depart, however, we must give brief notice of two statewide developments.

CfER’s new website is coming soon.  Check in at https://www.cfer.org frequently. In fact, the transformation of our Internet presence may have already happened by the time you read this. Developed by Rob Dickinson, the new site will encourage frequent additions and updates, have more visual appeal, and eventually include a members-only section.

On June 11, CfER and FairVote (http://www.fairvote.org) co-sponsored seven Houseparties for Democracy in San Rafael, Oakland, Redwood City, Mountain View, Ventura, Cambria, and Riverside. State Senator and SB 596 sponsor Debra Bowen (D-28) and FairVote’s executive director Rob Richie spoke via a teleconferencing hookup.

Now for the tour. Near the top of the state, in Humboldt County, CfER member Scott Menzies is one of two activists who planned and conducted a town hall event on April 24 to promote instant runoff voting in Eureka. For more information see http://tinyurl.com/8txt8.

In Mendocino County, Ukiah City Council member Mari Rodin introduced a resolution endorsing SB 596 on May 18. Chris Jerdonek helped draft the resolution and Bob Richard made a presentation to the city council--both with support from Mendocino CfER member Tom Wodetzki. The resolution didn’t pass, but the council discussion resulted in local press coverage that was very positive about ranked voting (see http://tinyurl.com/76gqb).

IRV activists in Alameda County are busier than ever. On May 12, voting equipment vendor Diebold submitted a lengthy report to county officials purporting to explain why it would take so long and cost so much to develop IRV software for their equipment. Under pressure from both citizens and Berkeley city officials, a meeting of IRV activists and both city and county officials was held on June 15. The county Registrar formed three working groups, including both officials and citizens, to study three aspects of implementation:  technical, legal and political. CfER activists including Steve Chessin, Dave Heller and Dave Kadlecek, are on all three committees.

The city of Oakland has started thinking about its charter provision allowing for IRV in special elections. During a spring campaign to fill a vacancy on the city council, the top eight (out of nine) candidates endorsed IRV. A June 23 meeting of the city council’s Rules and Legislation Committee heard a report on implementation from the city clerk, along with input from Dave Kadlecek and other activists.

On May 17, the same committee of the San Leandro city council discussed IRV. San Leandro’s charter language allows, but does not require, IRV for all elections.

The Fall issue of Voice for Democracy will include a full report on Alameda County. Meanwhile, visit http://oakprefvote.home.igc.org for Alameda County news.

Watch for display ads appearing soon in weekly papers in Alameda County as part of CfER’s new advertising campaign. 

In El Dorado County, Paula Lee is on a citizen’s advisory panel helping the registrar of voters evaluate proposals from voting machine vendors. She has been working hard in that role to insure compatibility with ranked voting. The League of Women Voters is planning an IRV campaign once equipment is in place.

From Fresno County, Ryan Dunning reports that Clovis, currently a general law city of about 70,000, plans to consider adopting a charter. CfER activists in the area will make sure that ranked voting is part of the discussion.

Santa Monica Ranked Voting (http://www.smrankedvoting.com) now has the public support of two city council members for adoption of choice voting in city council elections. On June 7, Amy Connolly asked the city council to put the subject on its agenda so that the group may make an appeal to the council to instruct city staff to study the feasibility of adopting and implementing choice voting in Santa Monica, including whether an amendment to the city’s charter would be required. The presentation will most likely happen in mid-September.

Along with Alameda County, Santa Monica will part of CfER’s new advertising campaign.

Finally, in San Diego, Edward Teyssier is talking about IRV with staff in the office of Councilmember and mayoral candidate Donna Frye, who wants the city council to consider the subject. At least one of Frye’s opponents in the first round of the special mayoral election, Richard Ryder, is also an IRV advocate, as is City Attorney Mike Aguirre.

To join CfER, or renew your membership, please visit

https://www.cfer.org/join